In a strange moment during a highly-anticipated interview with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk on X Spaces, former President Donald Trump drew significant backlash for bizarrely comparing Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris to his wife, Melania Trump. This incident follows Trump’s history of making peculiar and often criticized comparisons, including confusing E. Jean Carroll with his ex-wife Marla Maples and saying that porn actress Stormy Daniels resembled his daughter Ivanka.
The live Q&A session, which was meant to be broadcast on X’s audio platform at 8 PM ET, was delayed by 40 minutes due to technical issues that Musk later attributed to a server attack. The interview resumed after numerous listeners reported problems accessing the stream, reminiscent of Musk’s earlier technical troubles with the launch of Governor Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign.
Once the discussion got underway, Trump commented on Harris’s appearance on the cover of Time magazine, stating she looked “beautiful” and then made the unusual remark that she resembled Melania Trump.
“She looked very much like a great first lady, Melania. She didn’t look like Kamala, but of course, she’s a beautiful woman, so we’ll leave it at that,” Trump said.
Trump’s comments quickly drew sharp criticism on social media. Many users expressed disbelief and disapproval, questioning the relevance and accuracy of his comparison.
“Melania Trump looked like a beautiful Black woman?,” asked Rose Benson on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“So Kamala Harris looks like Melania, E. Jean Carroll looks like Marla, and Stormy Daniels looks like Ivanka. Got it,” commented Nita Cosby.
Another user criticized Trump’s remarks as a continuation of his pattern of problematic statements: “Trump has lost it. He’s gone from making racist, misogynistic remarks about Harris to now fantasizing that she looks like his wife, Melania.”
Listen to Trump’s remarks and more reactions below:
Trump says he saw Kamala Harris today on Time Magazine. He says she looked beautiful but then says it was drawing. He then says she looked like Melania Trump. pic.twitter.com/pW9ctsCt0r
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 13, 2024
Melania Trump looked like a beautiful Black woman?
— Rose Benson (@NotoriousRBF) August 13, 2024
So Kamala Harris looks like Melania, E Jean Carroll looks like Marla and Stormy Daniels looks like Ivanka. Got it.
— Nita Cosby (@5_2blue) August 13, 2024
So Melania Trump is a biracial woman? WTF is he on? pic.twitter.com/s8N6C2lqlf
— Island Girl – 100% Pro-Choice, Vote Blue (@bluepolitics_) August 13, 2024
He thought E. Jean Carroll was Marla Maples. It's totally on-brand.
— Scott English (@iamscottenglish) August 13, 2024
Trump has lost it. He's gone from racist, misogynistic attacks on Harris to now fantasizing that she looks like his wife, Melania.
— Silvija V. stands w Harris/Walz! 🇺🇸 🇱🇻 🌻 (@SVecrumba) August 13, 2024
Trump is attracted to Kamala Harris!!!
— Kansas the MAGA Slayer ⚔️ 💙 🇺🇸 (@KansasGOPSlayer) August 13, 2024
This was the weirdest part of the entire conversation. He's so gross
— Noah Gilbert (@Noahgilberto19) August 13, 2024
I knew it. He said she looked younger than she is and called her beautiful twice.
The guy can’t help it – he thinks she’s hot and can’t help but to voice it.
Sheesh.
— politea (@politeabox) August 13, 2024
OMG I’m chuckling and cringing.
— Sycamore (@AZ_Sycamore) August 13, 2024
Now that for real is some wierd shit! WTH.. Now she looks like your wife! Yo! WTH is going on with this dude? For real!
— JustSomeThoughts (@HeadzSports) August 13, 2024
Well that's weird
— 🇺🇦Max Plaid🇺🇦 (@Max_Plaid) August 13, 2024
Creepy
— Hopewell Kat 🇺🇸 💙#Love #Family #Art (@HopewellKat) August 13, 2024
He wishes.
— Lori (@LoHoFran) August 13, 2024